Pressure washing rubber roof

[davebr]

When I clean the rubber roof on my TT, some of the gray looking mold does not come off even with significant scrubbing. I have been thinking about buying a pressure washer and carefully cleaning the roof. Any suggestions on pressure settings and technique? Other issues? Thanks.

[BigSur2]

I've been wanting to post about this too.....but the more I read about cleaning roofs, the more I believe it's better to just leave them alone.

I went to my dealer the other day and a technician was on the roof of a 5er pressure washing the **** out of it. I'm assuming it had an EPDM roof..... I was like....huh?? what?? why???

[diesel_man_03]

I would NOT use a pressure washer on my roof, I use the rubber roof cleaner from the dealer and what ever doesn't come off stays there.

[2012Coleman]

Simply use a soap that does not contain petroleum distillates. I recently used the Camco roof cleaner and was very surprised at how well it cleaned the dirt. Those spots you mention are there to stay. Pressure washing is not advised nor needed.

[FlatBroke]

Out site out of mind, don't go up there! LOL

[Dave_H_M]

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Why are you so concerned about keeping the roof so clean? Every time you wash it you take off some of the wear layer and shorten its' life. Nobody can see it or cares...

B.O.

Heck yeah, the dirt and all those spots help protect my roof.

[Community Alumni]

Personally I would never use my pressure washer on a roof, I simply use Dawn dish soap and a brush to wash the roof. It may not be perfect but being a roof, it doesn't much matter to me.

[B_O__Plenty]

Why are you so concerned about keeping the roof so clean? Every time you wash it you take off some of the wear layer and shorten its' life. Nobody can see it or cares...

B.O.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Granted, it was the vinyl seats on my pontoon and not the RV roof - but our boat cover created a perfect mildew-growing environment; and my pontoon furniture showed it. There were big blotches of black mildew everywhere. I decided to try our 1200 psi pressure washer, figuring I had little to lose.

It helped a lot - I'd say it blasted off maybe half of the mildew - but the stains remained (and careful use didn't hurt the vinyl fabric). Then I found a product on Amazon called Zumildew (by Zep) - and sprayed that on the furniture and let it set. And watched the mildew disappear before my eyes! No scrubbing! I wiped off the furniture with clean water and a wet towel, just so there wasn't any residue (it smells strongly of bleach) to bleach out bathing suits/shorts, etc. My 16 year-old boat looks brand-new!

I have no connection to Zep - just a happy customer.

[ScottG]

Lynnmor wrote:
I've used cheap all-purpose spray cleaner with bleach from Dollar General with good results. Dicor recommends Tilex Bathroom Cleaner for mold. That product contains bleach.

I spilled some Tilex on my roof one time while cleaning the awning and didn't notice it for 10 or 15 minutes.
That was the whitest, cleanest spot on my whole roof!

[Lynnmor]

I've used cheap all-purpose spray cleaner with bleach from Dollar General with good results. Dicor recommends Tilex Bathroom Cleaner for mold. That product contains bleach.

[westend]

Instead of intense scrubbing to remove stains on the roof, why not coat it with one of the purpose-built roof paints to get it all sparkly?

Pressure washers and EPDM roofs are not good mates. A newbie with a pressure washer can do a lot of damage with a pressure washer, if not trained.

[Fizz]

Those spots won't come off.
I give the roof a light wash to remove surface dirt so it won't run off and streak the sides.

[mtofell1]

I've got the same type spots on mine that don't come off even with pressure washing. I try to go somewhat easy with the pressure washer for fear of doing damage and finally just gave up getting the roof completely clean. I mainly just try to get the mildew debris cleared from the roof and near the edges and just live with the spots. I live in Oregon and park my TT under a couple big trees so I have absolutely amazing amounts of moss and debris that collect.

[ScottG]

Your going to put a lot of wear on the surface and stress on the adhesive underneath with a pressure washer.
The roof will last the longest if it's left alone - cleaning only removes the white coating and shortens its life.